Ocala, FLThe 15th Annual Ocala Open kicked off the three-day tournament with a Charity Pro-Am on Tuesday, March 23rd. The Pro-Am event paired amateur golfers with one Ocala Open golf professional to test the Candler Hills Golf Club course layout. Players got tips straight from the professionals and could feel good about a day on the greens, with all proceeds benefitting Hospice of Marion County, Inc. and Interfaith Emergency Services. 

To date, the Ocala Open has donated over $733,000 to local charities in the community. “The Pro-Am is the most important element of the Ocala Open,” says Director of Golf for Candler Hills Golf Club, Matt Hibbs. “Annually, the Pro-Am is the largest fundraiser in Ocala.” 

This year the Ocala Open Charity Pro-Am raised a total of $80,000, allowing sponsor On Top of the World to write both Hospice of Marion County, Inc. and Interfaith Emergency Services each a check for $40,000… Both organizations are local non-profits in the community providing support for area citizens in need. Hospice of Marion County, Inc. offers exceptional, compassionate care for terminally ill patients and supports patient’s families and caregivers. Interfaith Emergency Services provides necessities and emergency financial assistance to anyone in need without being discriminative of race or religion. 

“Both of these organizations have been supporting our community for many years, especially during the pandemic,” says Hibbs. “We feel strongly the money raised should be used to support organizations whose roots are in Marion County.” 

The 15th Annual Ocala Open once again exceeded expectations beating last year’s raised funds. The staff at Candler Hills Golf Club would like to thank various local businesses’ generous support, including our Platinum Partner, 360 Wealth Management Group of Raymond James. 

For more information on the Ocala Open and to see a schedule of the tournament, please visit our website at www.ocalaopen.com.